Janessa the Model Pt. 4

Luca and I got my photos into circulation. It was only a few hours later that the magazines were asking to use them stating I was "the next best thing." That seemed appropriate given the word around my robotic form. Hopefully, I could get to Chase before he figured everything out.

Luca and I couldn't sleep so we decided to shower then take a walk to get some fresh air. As we traveled down the bustling Manhattan sidewalk we were renewed with vigor.

"It was the red, wasn't it?" Luca asked.

"Yes, that's why I brought you the picture of the tree."

"Do you mean to tell me neither of us had seen the color red before that?" Luca asked with incredulity. We both pondered.

"Well, actually your administrative assistant had very red hair."

"She does. Hmm, that is interesting." Luca was deep in thought.

"Maybe it has to be a something specific. Like something in nature," I suggested.

"Perhaps, but don't you remember it bein' not natural?"

"Now that you mention it, yes, Chase had a red tie more than once, and I was wearing a red dress with red nail polish. I wasn't triggered by either of those. D*mn it. We need to figure it out."

"What about--" Luca began but was cut off by someone.

"That's braid-y girl Janessa! The new model!" someone yelled across the street.

"Oh, my god! It's Janessa!"

A group of four people came running over to us. They had printed pictures of me in my braids. I laughed as they mobbed me trying to get my autograph. All of them were staring at me in stark admiration. I signed as quickly as I could. 

"Okay, have a great night. Follow your dreams!" I gave them a wave. When I glanced over my shoulder, I could see them waving.

"Well, then. I guess we'd better get in the mode of that happenin' more often. When we go to the Really World party, I'll see if I can make it a red carpet. I'll be sure to invite your numpty ex." 

"What does numpty mean by the way?"

"Dumb, arrogant, clueless. Sound like Chase?"

"You hit the nail on the head!"

***

Luca and I ordered our food to go since more people were recognizing me. We had to hide out in the apartment. He went to speak with the Really World people and they loved the idea of turning it into a black-tie event. Luca went on social media and spread the word.

He also created a raffle where the winner would receive professional photography lessons and their own portfolio. The longer the raffle was posted, the number of guests went up. Really World managers had to push the date forward for their release party. They were worried that they wouldn't be able to fit everyone if they waited too long. 

***

In another day, we were ready to attend the event. Luca got dressed in a tuxedo and I wore a black dress cut up the side of my leg. My glittering onyx purse matched my necklace and earring set. Luca made sure to have the invitation just in case they needed proof, for him anyway. 

We decided to take a special limo to the party because of all the fans I already had. We were were dropped off close to the entryway but we still had to wait. As we are walking the red carpet, I saw Chase up ahead. He was there with none other than Sophie.

"That bastard. He tried to make me feel like I was crazy."

"He's a bastard alright. We'll get 'im Janessa. Every bloody time." I smiled at Luca, trying to refrain from crying. When the Really World staff members saw me in line they hurriedly pulled me out and toward the entrance. As I passed by Chase and Sophie, I smirked at him and then we rushed inside.

"Oh, my lord. How long have you been out there?" one staffer asked. They were shaking and they were so upset.

"A few minutes. No worries. We saw a couple of friends and had a chat."

"But you too, Mr. Bellamy. My goodness. Please come this way," said the second one.

The staffers continued leading with both of their hands guarding us. It was a new experience to be treated this way. They led us out back and to an executive office. There, sitting at the head of the table could only be Really World's creator. He was wearing sunglasses, an emerald-green accented tuxedo, and a tie to match. We could see that he was sitting with his index fingers steepled.

"Ms. Garnet, Mr. Bellamy. I'm Mr. Divine. Please, sit." He waved his hands to us. We sat across from one another at the large conference room table. "Let's get rid of the formalities. My first name is Yǔxuān."

"I'm Janessa and this is Luca."

"Great. I love to know who I'm speaking with, but I won't waste too much more of your time. You're here because of our invitation, yes?"

"That was our original reason," I said.

"Yeah, and also the raffle. I upped the guest list," Luca said.

"You certainly did. I appreciate that." Yǔxuān pointed at Luca. "I'm thrilled to know that our invitations haven't' been discovered yet. We'll keep sending them." 

"Sending them?" Luca asked.

"Yes, I'll explain. I wanted you to be here to talk about simulation worlds. Do you know about them?" he asked. Luca and I glanced around the room not sure how to answer but then Yǔxuān winked. "Of course, you do!" he said. "But I know how they're built because they're my designs. And I also know how to help you choose which sim you go to next."

"What do you mean? Are you friends with Chase?" I asked. Yǔxuān chuckled quietly and said, "Excuse my language, but fuck no."

"You mentioned we could choose. Wouldn't that mean we had to have our memories after we left?" I asked.

"It does and you do. What you're essentially doing now is just skipping the choosing part."

"This could be very interesting," Luca said with a shrug and a grin.

"We agree. So much that we've made a living out of it."

"How do we do it?" Luca asked. 

"I'm going to show you once we get outside."

"Before we leave, I have a question," I said, raising my hand.

"Certainly," Yǔxuān said as he swiveled his chair slightly to the right, linking his fingers and resting them in his lap.

"Chase said we have to go through one hundred and fifty simulations and that I have to reject him more than he wins. Wouldn't that mean when I win more than half of them I wouldn't need to continue?"

At once loud cheers and clapping could be heard. Someone on a microphone was speaking. 

..."on the premises. In fact, we're going to bring her out right now!"

Yǔxuān rose, buttoned his suit jacket and then waved his hand for us to leave in front of him. We stood, walked out, and once we hit the main hall everyone was cheering for me. There were gaming machines, black lights, and confetti falling from the ceiling. As I walked farther, I was led to a podium.

"Please go ahead," said Yǔxuān. I walked up the stairs to the silver platform and took the microphone.

"Hello all," I said. Hundreds of people clapped and cheered. "Wow, talk about overnight success. You are wonderful. Thanks for being here!

"We love you, Janessa!" I heard.

"You're beautiful!"

"Marry me, Janessa!"

I laughed and then continued, "I didn't have a speech prepared here but I'm so happy my career has finally taken off." I glanced down in the crowd for Chase. I eyed him under the rotating lights. "You know, someone told me I couldn't be a model--" I was cut off by loud booing. "And at first, I thought he may have a point but I soon came to my senses."

"Who was it, Janessa?" a reporter asked standing in the front row with her microphone. 

"It was Chase Barrington my ex-husband." A spotlight pinpointed Chase and Sophie. The crowd began surging. "Please, let's be civil," I said. I could feel how hot the lights were making me feel. "Because here's the point. When you have a creative dream, or a true passion for something, pursue it. Go after it with all your heart. Never let anyone tell you to stop. I mean, look at me." I held my hands out which made the room erupt.

Yǔxuān helped me down and then he took my place.

"Please enjoy our gaming rigs set up all over from Really World. If you'd like to purchase anything, I'll be right on the floor with you. Oh and, security, please escort Chase Barrington outside."

I watched in pleasure as Chase was forced into the street. 

***

Hours later when the sun was down, we left. We never had a chance to talk with Yǔxuān to settle our other questions, but we'd figure it out. We always did.

I stepped into the street and Chase was still standing there. His tie was pulled out and his shirt had four buttons open. Things were iffy. A huge crowd followed behind me.

"Janessa," he began. "I made a mistake. I know that now. I was wrong to treat you as I did. I put you down because I was insecure, but I was dead wrong and you knew it."

He got on his knees, and I kicked his leg with my velvet-black stiletto.

"Get up. You're supposedly a f*cking fashion guru. Act like one." He refused to stand. The crowd of people were laughing at him. 

"Not anymore. But I don't care, I just want you back. I'm nothing without you!" He put his hands in a praying position.

I leaned down closely to his face and with my deeply purple lips said, "I know."

Luca and I glanced at one another.

"We can leave now," I said.

"Leave? Where?" Chase asked desperately. 

"Where do you think?" Luca asked. 

"No! Don't go Janessa! Please!" Chase cried. 

"Ascot," we said simultaneously. Within an instant our limo came to pick us up. Chase was sprinting after us down the road. We barely let the ride stop before we were exiting out the doors. We raced inside and took the elevator up. Once we were in Luca's office, we paused in front of the LED window.

"The ticket!" I exclaimed.

"Yes!" he answered. "Go on then, after you."

I moved to the window and pushed my way through. I could hear Luca behind me. When we landed, we were in another room and this time it wasn't a simulation scenario.